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The top 5 under-reported Alabama politics stories of 2018

In a state where political news comes fast and furious, and where newspaper and TV news staffs are steadily declining, it’s easy for a few stories to slip through the cracks. At this time each year, APR tries to go back and catch a few of those and give them the attention they deserve. And … Continued
December 27, 2018

Sewell urges Trump administration to release former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, D-Selma, sent a letter to the Trump administration renewing her request for an immediate reduction in the sentence of former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford due to his deteriorating health. “During this season of hope, I am calling on the Trump Administration to act with compassion and immediately reduce Mayor … Continued
December 27, 2018

McCutcheon supports Trump’s efforts to build border wall

President Donald J. Trump (R) wants to build a wall on the southern border to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. Democrats have thwarted efforts to build the wall. The President is refusing to sign a measure to continue funding the government unless he gets $5 billion to begin building his wall. On … Continued
December 24, 2018

Danny Garrett to serve as House majority whip

House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, announced that State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will serve as House Majority Whip during the 2018–2022 quadrennium and hold the third highest position in the Republican Caucus’ leadership structure. Whips, which are utilized by most caucuses and legislative bodies around the world, are tasked with conducting vote counts on … Continued
December 20, 2018

The problem with a supermajority

There is a downside to supermajority control in government. Inevitably, no matter how many times you force through your agenda and ignore the cries from the other side of the aisle, the supermajority will eventually be unable to accomplish necessary, hard things. Because the necessary, hard things that need to be accomplished will be things … Continued
December 18, 2018

McCutcheon announces committee chairs

On Monday, Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R – Monrovia, announced the lawmakers who will serve as chairs and vice-chairs for the Alabama House of Representative’s 25 standing committees during the 2018 – 2022 quadrennium. “Each of these members possesses specific talents, experiences, knowledge, and leadership skills, and we worked hard to match … Continued
December 17, 2018

Department of Corrections hints at billion dollar prison plan

At the most recent Legislative Contract Review hearing, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn revealed that the state is planning to build three mega-style prisons at a cost of approximately $1 billion. Less than two years ago, the Legislature rejected a plan by then-Gov. Robert Bentley to spend approximately $850 million on four new … Continued
December 17, 2018

Speaker McCutcheon hospitalized with heart issue

Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon announced on Friday that he has been hospitalized with a heart issue and expects to be released following treatment over the weekend. “Deb and I appreciate the prayers of healing that so many have made on my behalf, and I am well on the road to recovery,” McCutcheon … Continued
December 14, 2018

Alabama House Rural Caucus re-elects David Standridge as chairman

This week, the Alabama House Rural Caucus held an organizational session for the upcoming legislative quadrennium. After being nominated by House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, Representative David Standridge, R-Hayden, was unanimously re-elected to a second term as Chairman of the Rural Caucus. “I appreciate the support of Speaker McCutcheon and my fellow members of the … Continued
December 14, 2018

Can Alabama’s one-party system deliver for all the people?

Alabama is a one-party state. For 136 years, the Democratic Party was the sole governing body which ruled the state under a one-party system. Voters switched sides in 2010, and now there is one-party control by Republicans. Of the many problems created by a one-party system are the elimination of checks and balances, disregard for … Continued
December 13, 2018